Coronary artery disease and stroke in HIV-infected patients: prevention and pharmacological therapy.

The advent of new antiretroviral agents dramatically reduced mortality and HIV-associated morbidity. In the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era, long-term side effects such as severe metabolic disorders and related acute cardiovascular complications including myocardial infarction, peripheral vascular disease and stroke have been reported. Prevention and therapeutics for cardiovascular complications in HIV-infected patients are a new and emerging challenge for physicians involved in HIV infection care because of the prolongation of survival and the long-term complications of HAART. In the present overview, we will discuss the incidence, pathophysiology, prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease and stroke in HIV-infected patients.